Can my PC run MW2? Minimum specs for new Call of Duty

Ant Stonelake

Ant Stonelake

With the release of a new Call of Duty game, there is always one question that seems to come over lots of player’s minds: Can my PC run it?

The minimum specs for MW2 have been confirmed by Infinity Ward. The developer has outlined four different tiers of requirements for the game, aimed at the different experiences players will have with it.

These range from the bare minimum that you need to run the game to the highest possible settings on the highest possible 4k resolution.

Photo via Activision / Infinity Ward.
Photo via Activision / Infinity Ward.

The minimum specs for the game also detail how much storage is required on your PC in order to be able to have a full install of the game on your system. Upon the release of the full game on October 28, there will be an option to uninstall the campaign.

The minimum specs have also seen a slight lift from the minimum specs from the MW2 beta. The full game will be slightly more demanding on systems.

These four tiers are:

  • Minimum
  • Recommended
  • Competitive
  • 4k
Photo via Activision / Infinity Ward.
Photo via Activision / Infinity Ward.

Minimum specs

Infinity Ward say that the minimum specs for MW2 won't have any specific performance capabilities. This is just the level of system needed to run the game.

Considering how notorious Call of Duty games are for being demanding on systems and struggling to reach high fps counts, these minimum specs are quite conservative.

  • Operating system: Windows 10 64 bit (latest update)
  • CPU: Intel Core I3-6100 / Core I5-2500K or AMD Ryzen 3 1200
  • RAM: 8GB
  • Storage space: 72GB at launch
  • Assets cache: Up to 32GB
  • Video card: Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 or AMD Radeon RX 470
  • Video memory: 2GB
  • Graphic driver: Nvidia: 516.59, AMD: 22.9.1

Recommended specs

The recommended specs run MW2 at 60fps in "most situations with all options set to high". Higher and more stable framerates can be achieved with turning the graphics settings down.

  • Operating system: Windows 10 64 bit or Windows 11 64 bit (latest updates)
  • CPU: Intel Core I5-660K / Core I7-4770, or AMD Ryzen 5 1400
  • RAM: 12GB
  • Storage space: 72GB at launch
  • Assets cache: Up to 32GB
  • Video card: Nvidia GeForce RTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 580
  • Video memory: 8GB
  • Graphic driver: Nvidia: 516.59, AMD: 22.9.1

Competitive specs

Call of Duty has a big focus on the esports side of their game. This is why Infinity Ward included competitive specification for MW2 in its information pack.

The competitive settings will help achieve the highest possible fps. This is for players who use high refresh rate monitors and require high fps counts in order to feel the full impact of their hardware.

  • Operating system: Windows 10 64 bit or Windows 11 64 bit (latest updates)
  • CPU: Intel Core I7-8700K, or AMD Ryzen 7 1800X
  • RAM: 16GB
  • Storage space: 72GB at launch
  • Assets cache: Up to 32GB
  • Video card: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060Ti, or AMD Radeon RX 5700XT
  • Video memory: 8GB
  • Graphic driver: Nvidia: 516.59, AMD: 22.9.1

Ultra 4k specs

Only the most powerful systems could ever dream of running games like MW2 in 4k resolution. The Ultra specs allow for the game to run "at a high fps in 4k resolution".

Photo via Activision / Infinity Ward.
Photo via Activision / Infinity Ward.

Now you don't have to ask: Can my PC run MW2? Infinity Ward have stressed that these minimum specs may change during the year as MW2 becomes more and more expansive and stressful for systems to run.

It's worth noting that console users will not be able to change their graphics settings. Infinity Ward restricts consoles to play at the highest setting that the system can run on.

MW2 will release on October 28. Players can access the campaign for the new game now as part of early access for people who have pre-ordered the MW2.